What should I do about it?

If you are thinking about suicide then you may think you are beyond help. You may be so deeply hurt or afraid that you feel out of reach. If you are angry it can seem difficult to allow another person to make a difference. If your anger has turned inwards and you feel self-hatred or guilt, you may believe that you don't deserve help.

If you are feeling like this, it’s really important to confide in someone you trust. You may be thinking bad thoughts about yourself that are very private. Saying them out loud for the first time is scary, but eventually it will make them less frightening. Talking puts you back in control and reveals the choices you have. It is often easier for other people to see solutions, particularly if they know you well.

At first, you may find it easier to talk to someone you don’t know- there are lots of helplines you can call. It might help to talk to someone who is trained to give advice and support. They won’t judge you, but will help you consider all your options.

You could confide in someone in your family, a teacher, a friend, or the school nurse.

If your feelings are overwhelming, you must tell someone. Ask them to stay with you until the feelings pass. They might be able to calm you down and help you manage your problems. If you find it difficult to talk, write it down and send a letter, an e-mail or a text.

You could go and see your doctor, who will be able to tell you if you are depressed, and will know what to do to get you back to normal. Don’t be afraid of going to see a specialist like a counsellor or psychiatrist. There are some very good 'talking treatments' which work really well, especially if you go in the early days of feeling unwell. If you are not able to relate to the person you are seeing - ask to see someone else.

Start looking after yourself properly. Eat regular meals and make sure you get plenty of exercise. Get out into the daylight and try to stay out of bed until night time. Find something to do which gives some structure to your day.

Try to find something to distract yourself from the bad thoughts. You could try being active, being with people or doing something you enjoy (even though you might not feel like it). Don’t listen to sad music when you’re feeling down, it will just make you feel worse, and will make it difficult for you to think positively.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Although at first they give you a lift, they are known to make depressed people feel even worse in the long run. Under their influence you may do things or make decisions you would not normally make.

The internet can be a good place to find advice and support. But use it wisely by only accessing sites which give positive help and hope for the future. Be careful which sites you use because there are some sites out there with people who don’t want to help you get better, and who could make it worse. You are feeling vulnerable right now so this could be very dangerous. There are a few really good organisations out there who offer support and can put you in touch with people who can help- see the links at the end of this article.